F 250 need shocks, which ones to buy?

[Mike(NEOhio)]

Need the rears bad. '15 F250, FX4 off road with the towing package. I haven't purchased shocks since my old '99 4x2 plaln Jane and there's so many available now. Does the lift on the FX4 need a longer shock? The front has Ranchos but no red boot on the rears and I can't find label or numbers. Recommendations?

 

[wp6529]

Bilstein 5100 series, just lookup by application. If factory get the 0-2" ones. If some aftermarket lift kit you'll need to measure. Get the Bilstein 5100 series steering stabilizer as well. No need for any dual setups. 5100 series is good performance and service life at a reasonable price and far better than the OEM phony Ranchos.

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

Bilstein 5100 series, just lookup by application. If factory get the 0-2" ones. If some aftermarket lift kit you'll need to measure. Get the Bilstein 5100 series steering stabilizer as well. No need for any dual setups. 5100 series is good performance and service life at a reasonable price and far better than the OEM phony Ranchos.

It's factory lift, whatever the Off Road option had. There's a spacer above the rear axle, about 3 inches, guessing. Is that where to measure? Only need rears.

 

[DoubleO7]

It's factory lift, whatever the Off Road option had. There's a spacer above the rear axle, about 3 inches, guessing. Is that where to measure? Only need rears.

Interestingly RockAuto sells both. But only list the one of 4600 series for your truck w/o showing others depending on lift.
Whereas they have several choices of the 5100 series depending on lift.
I am not 100% but when they mention "with xx lift" they mean aftermarket lifts.

 

[wp6529]

The 0-1" lift or the like is for the stock factory setup, the others are for aftermarket. The 0-2" option works fine on my F350 4x4 which has those same 3" factory blocks in the rear. Buy the full set, rears, fronts and steering stabilizer, you will be happy with the results especially if replacing OEM phony Ranchos in the front. I've used the 5100s on several different 3500 / 350 trucks and they work well, reading most forums they seem to agree they are the best option for "normal" shocks.

 

[DoubleO7]

Something in your steering ain't right if you need a steering stabilizer.

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

The 0-1" lift or the like is for the stock factory setup, the others are for aftermarket. The 0-2" option works fine on my F350 4x4 which has those same 3" factory blocks in the rear. Buy the full set, rears, fronts and steering stabilizer, you will be happy with the results especially if replacing OEM phony Ranchos in the front. I've used the 5100s on several different 3500 / 350 trucks and they work well, reading most forums they seem to agree they are the best option for "normal" shocks.

Front seems good. Rear bounces like crazy on bumps and hops real bad in deep snow

 

[wp6529]

Something in your steering ain't right if you need a steering stabilizer.

Is that why the trucks have a steering stabilizer from the factory?

 

[wjytexas]

Bilstein 5100 series, just lookup by application. If factory get the 0-2" ones. If some aftermarket lift kit you'll need to measure. Get the Bilstein 5100 series steering stabilizer as well. No need for any dual setups. 5100 series is good performance and service life at a reasonable price and far better than the OEM phony Ranchos.

I got Bilstein on my '04 4x4 F250 last year and it rides better than my F150 2x4. I've driven it on primitive back country roads in Big bend Natl. Park and they do good. Much more stable on washboard than before.

 

[showcrop]

Something in your steering ain't right if you need a steering stabilizer.

They come with it from the factory. If your FE starts to get a little wonky a new stabilizer takes care of it.

 

[Gambles]

Something in your steering ain't right if you need a steering stabilizer.

I’ve had four Jeeps in my life. I didn’t go out and search for them, they just kinda fell into my lap, so to speak. On one of these Jeeps, it had the so-called “death wobble”. This was after a complete front end rebuild with new parts everywhere and a front end alignment. Now to those who have never heard of it, search it out. But it’s really unnerving when you are traveling at 60 mph, you hit a bump and your whole front end goes into a violent shake. My only cure for it was a larger steering stabilizer. The “something ain’t right”, was a factory problem with a lot of Jeeps, but other brands have experienced it also. BTW, my Jeeps were not lifted and the tire size was factory.

 

[560Dennis]

Good one on and off road is Bilstein .

 

[560Dennis]

Where do you go rock climbing Trails in Newbury ?

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

Where do you go rock climbing Trails in Newbury ?

None that I know of. I stay on the roads mainly and occasionally take it down the lane between the hay fields. Short but kind of steep hill.

 

[560Dennis]

None that I know of. I stay on the roads mainly and occasionally take it down the lane between the hay fields. Short but kind of steep hill.

To bad like to go trail riding

 

[TomA in CA]

Do new shocks actually help? I have been driving for 65 years and never changed shocks on anything . I drive a '92 F250 4x4 with 150000 mi and drive back country roads all the time. Would new shocks be worth the trouble? A bump is a bump right?

 

[Janicholson]

Do new shocks actually help? I have been driving for 65 years and never changed shocks on anything . I drive a '92 F250 4x4 with 150000 mi and drive back country roads all the time. Would new shocks be worth the trouble? A bump is a bump right?

Test them:
if they have oil looking stains on the outside (one or both, on rear or front) replace them
If you drive over a speed bump, or a 2X4 and the truck only makes one correction after the bounce, they are likely OK. Jumping on the front or rear bumper to test works if you are 200+ pounds and aggressive about it. Again, one limited correction to the bounce motion. Jim

 

[wp6529]

Also note that your 2015 truck may need new body mounts. On my 2016 they were completely shot by 2024. I replaced them with the S&B silicone mounts which while a bit pricey work very well and should last a lot longer than the OEM foam rubber junk.

 

[Gambles]

Do new shocks actually help?

You probably won’t get a definite answer, just an “it depends”. Years ago, my wife’s favorite vehicle was a ‘98 Ranger. She drove the wheels off that vehicle, really hard. One day I changed all four shocks on it. Without telling her. The next time she drove it, she asked me what I had done to it, as it rode a lot smoother.
If a shock leaks oil, or it has no resistance, you need new shocks.

 

[chvet73]

Bilstein 5100 series, just lookup by application. If factory get the 0-2" ones. If some aftermarket lift kit you'll need to measure. Get the Bilstein 5100 series steering stabilizer as well. No need for any dual setups. 5100 series is good performance and service life at a reasonable price and far better than the OEM phony Ranchos.

This Bilstein will be the best value for your money.